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Top 50: Carol Westberg

NAME: Carol Westberg

AGE: 55

VOLUNTEERS IN: Calgary

CATEGORY: Canada - Health & Wellness

ORGANIZATION(S): Southern Alberta Myeloma Patient Society (SAMS)

ABOUT THE CANDIDATE:

In 2004, at the age of 49, Carol was diagnosed with an incurable malignancy known as Multiple Myeloma, and has been receiving chemotherapy since then. Carol soon discovered that Myeloma patients in Canada have little support from the community, so she created SAMS - one of the largest Myeloma support groups in Canada - working tirelessly to bring help to others suffering from this devastating malignancy. She has done all this volunteering without any financial support, working while she was getting chemotherapy.

Carol has also pressured health authorities in Alberta to provide funding for an expensive myeloma drug (21 pills cost $8,000) - despite the fact that when she first started pushing for funding she did not personally benefit from it--she has since started on the drug. She visits her doctor's office twice a week, offering support and advice to patients in the waiting room, and also gives talks about living with a terminal illness to nursing students, telling her story and opening the floor for them to ask questions.

Her doctor, Nizar Jacques Bahlis, nominated her, noting her tireless volunteering puts Carol at risk of infections, fatigue and lack of rest. Bahlis says "Carol is truly an "unsung hero" who has dedicated her life to help others. Her motto speaks best for her beautiful spirit: "I am Brave, I am Strong, I will not quit....I am a Warrior!"